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"A dolomite plaque carved with the eight great scenes in the life of Buddha dates to the early 16th century during Burma\u2019s Ava Period (1364 -1752 A.D). Plaques from as early as 700 A.D. depicting these eight events have been unearthed in Burma, and during the Pagan Period (1084-1287 A.D.) carved tablets representing the eight episodes became prevalent.  This dolomite (limestone) piece has Pagan attributes such as the definition of the robe on the central Buddha but signals of its later Ava origin are in the figure\u2019s broad face, the band separating forehead and hair, and the small upturned mouth. (For photos and descriptions of similar early plaques, see \u201CBuddha Images from Burma Part 1: Sculptured in Stone,\u201D by Sylvia Fraser-Lu in Arts of Asia magazine, January/February 1981.)  This plaque is unusual in that the central Buddha is standing with the left hand in the mudra (gesture) of charity and right hand in a variation of the teaching mudra; more commonly seen, the central figure is seated with left hand resting in the lap and right hand in earth touching mudra. As with most eight scene plaques, the scene at the top portrays the passing of Buddha into nirvana. The central figure in this piece represents the first sermon, and the nativity is represented at lower left. The other five figures represent the twin miracles, the descent from the mountain, sojourn in the forest and the taming of the elephant. The tablet, which may have been buried under a stupa, is in good condition with all figures intact. A new wood base has been added for stability and display purposes. Dimensions with base: height 11\u201D (28 cm), width 6\u201D (15.3 cm), depth 3\u201D (7.7 cm). Dimensions of tablet only: height 10 \u00BD\u201D (26.5 cm) , width 4 \u00BE\u201D (12.2 cm), depth 1 \u00BE\u201D (4.5 cm). SEE MORE ITEMS IN OUR COLLECTION AT WWW.SILKROAD1.COM"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.trocadero.com/stores/thesilkroad/items/936671/Limestone-Tablet-16th-Century-Ava-Period>